NASCAR 2024 Playoff Rankings: Who’s Facing Elimination on Saturday at Bristol?
This Saturday evening at Bristol Motor Speedway (7:30 p.m. ET, USA Network), NASCAR kicks off its third race in the Cup Series playoffs, which will also serve as the first elimination event for 2024.
Following the Bass Pro Shops Night Race, the playoff roster of 16 drivers will be trimmed down to 12, as the bottom four drivers in the standings will be ousted from the championship race.
Joey Logano, who claimed victory in the initial playoff event at Atlanta Motor Speedway two weeks prior, is the only driver guaranteed a place in the second round, thanks to his win which earned him direct entry into the Round of 12. Christopher Bell tops the points leaderboard following two playoff races, with Logano sitting in third.
The current top five also has some unexpected entries. Austin Cindric, starting the playoffs ranked 10th, is now second in the standings. Alex Bowman, who began in 12th, is now fourth; and Daniel Suarez has climbed to fifth from 11th.
Additionally, there are surprising names currently in the danger zone. Denny Hamlin, a strong playoff contender for much of the season, stands six points under the cutline heading into Saturday’s event. Former Cup Series champions Martin Truex Jr. (2017) and Brad Keselowski (2012) are also positioned outside the top 12.
Current NASCAR Playoff Standings Before Bristol
x-indicates a clinched spot in the second round. The bottom four drivers after the Bass Pro Shops Night Race will be eliminated from the playoffs.
- Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing 2,089
- Austin Cindric, Team Penske 2,086
- x-Joey Logano, Team Penske 2,084
- Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports 2,084
- Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing 2,079
- Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing 2,073
- Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports 2,073
- Ryan Blaney, Team Penske 2,072
- Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports 2,069
- William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports 2,068
- Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing 2,049
- Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing 2,049
- Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing 2,043
- Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing 2,037
- Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing 2,035
- Harrison Burton, Wood Brothers Racing 2,029
Complete Schedule for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs
Below is the timeline for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs with dates, venues, times, and TV channels for all 10 races (All times in Eastern)
- Sunday, Sept. 8: Atlanta Motor Speedway. Winner: Joey Logano
- Sunday, Sept. 15: Watkins Glen International. Winner: Chris Buescher
- Saturday, Sept. 21: Bristol Motor Speedway, USA, 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 29: Kansas Speedway, USA, 3 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 6: Talladega Superspeedway, NBC, 2 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 13: Charlotte Roval, NBC, 2 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 20: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NBC, 2:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 27: Homestead-Miami Speedway, NBC, 2:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 3: Martinsville Speedway, NBC, 2 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 10: Phoenix Raceway, NBC, 3 p.m.